When I practice gratitude I can’t help but feel positive. It allows me to focus on all I have in life rather than defaulting to the things I might lack. It changes the glass from being half empty to half full.

A wonderful way to do this is to think of one thing you are grateful for each day. This might sound cliché but it really works. Soon you will be looking for things to be grateful for and before you know it, you’ll appreciate just how much you have in life.

It took me a while to get into this habit but now I feel grateful most days, having increased my sense of happiness in a profound way.

Why don’t you try thinking of something to be grateful for every day for thirty days? You have nothing to lose and it could bring you such joy and happiness.

Use Affirmations And Visualize

This is something I have done intermittently but am recommitting to do on a more regular basis. Phrase your affirmations in the present tense and try to say them ten times each day whilst looking in the mirror. Some popular affirmations are:

I love and accept my authentic self completely

I can do anything I set out to

Everything in my life is working for my ultimate good and as it should

I forgive all those that have wronged me in the past and let go of all negativity

I am achieving excellence

I have an abundance of energy and am totally healthy

I have a wealth of inner resources to conquer any and every challenge I face

My old habits have gone, my new, more healthy and empowering habits, have now taken root in my life

Another wonderful tool to boost positivity – which new research has suggested allows us to reach our goals faster – is to use visualization. The critical element which the research picked up on was that if we visualize achieving our goals our motivation decreases, however, if we visualize how we will go about achieving our goals, our motivation increases and we are likely to achieve them faster.

I visualize by listening to chill out music, with lit candles all around my room whilst looking at my dream board and planning how I will achieve my dreams.

Practice Hope For The Future And Optimism

I’ve often confused hope and optimism for the same thing. They are related, however there is a subtle difference. Whereas hope is grounded in an expectation and a desire for something to happen, optimism focuses on that thing turning out well. We need both to fully embrace positivity in our lives.

Choose to believe that what you desire will come to pass and that, with a little hard work, dedication and discipline, it will be a favorable outcome.

Whilst gossiping may be on the darker side of human behavior, there are many things we can do to disengage with it and limit its impact.

At the times in my life when I have gone on a gossip detox, my soul has felt lighter, as if it was a bird that had just taken flight.

Try boycotting the news, gossip magazines and changing the subject when you notice yourself talking about others for one month and notice the effect it has upon your quality of life.

For me the impact was profound and I intend to recommit myself to doing so. Join me in living a lighter, happier existence, one where negativity takes a back seat and compassion and understanding reign.

Are you going to take the one month challenge? Has this series changed the way you view gossip? Do you want to make changes in your relationship to gossip following this series? Please share your thoughts in the comments below to gain encouragement, understanding and support from our community, we’d love to hear from you.